Through a statement released by DVL Seigenthaler public relations firm, the family of Williams said, "(We) would like to thank everyone for the words of support and love during this tough time. We are heartbroken by the passing of our beloved husband, father and friend. Yet our hearts have been warmed by the many expressions of love."

Vanderbilt athletic director David Williams comforts the parents of late Commodores pitcher Donny Evereet as they were honored before the game against MTSU at Dudley Field Saturday Sept. 10, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV/The Tennessean

Vanderbilt Athletic Director David Williams gets a hug from former Vanderbilt basketball star Festus Ezeli of the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in Nashville. John Partipilo / The Tennessean

Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason, right, talks with Vice Chancellor for University Affairs and Athletics David Williams at the National Signing Day event at Vanderbilt on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. Jae S. Lee / The Tennessean

Vanderbilt AD David Williams talks to new head coach Derek Mason before the start of the game vs Temple during the first quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014. Jae S. Lee / The Tennessean

New Vanderbilt University football coach Derek Mason, center, gives the "VU" sign with Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos, left, and athletics director David Williams at the end of a news conference at McGugin Center on Jan. 18, 2014. Jae S. Lee / The Tennessean

Vanderbilt head football coach James Franklin and vice chancellor David Williams announce a new contract for Franklin, the university will build an indoor football facility on campus and make improvements to the football stadium Friday, Dec. 2, 2011 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Vanderbilt Baseball coach Tim Corbin left, gets a hug from VIce Chancellor David Williams in 2006. Corbin announced that he will no longer consider leaving for LSU. Larry McCormack / FILE / THE TENNESSEAN

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Perry E. Wallace Jr. Basketball Scholarship at Vanderbilt.

Williams often said his greatest accomplishment was reuniting Vanderbilt with Wallace, the SEC’s first black basketball player, after years of friction. Wallace died on Nov. 30, 2017. And in Vanderbilt's basketball game against Alabama, senior guard Joe Toye, the first recipient of the Perry E. Wallace Jr. scholarship, wrote "RIP DW" on his shoes as a tribute to Williams.

Donations can be made by mailing a check to the Perry E. Wallace Jr. Basketball Scholarship, Vanderbilt University Gift and Donor Services, PMB 407727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240­-7727; by logging on to vu.edu/wallacescholarship; or, by calling the National Commodore Club office at 615-322-4114.